Ack....Spanish coins that were used as dollar coins in early US. IIRC, First US government minted coins did not appear until about 1793......

In early America, as a need for smaller amount/value (bits) coins were needed for everyday commerce, dollar coins were cut up to provide smaller amount "coinage" Phrases like "two bits" ( one-fourth or a quarter of a dollar coin) and "four bits" ( one-half of a dollar coin).

Many of the Spanish coins used in early US were minted in Mexico (New Spain) or Peru. French coins were also in circulation, as well as coins from other nations, such as Holland. As always throughout World History, coins of gold or silver were worth more than those of copper or bronze.